Alaya Ecolodge: Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia

Alaya Ecolodge is a beautiful green oasis in North-West Bali. The lodge includes simple wooden cottages surrounding a swimming pool, a multifunctional hall and dining area. The principles of ecology and conscious living were instilled from the very beginning; with practices of organic farming, utilizing ecological products, a focus on water retention, waste water recycling, and minimal energy consumption integrated into the campus. 

All cottages are traditional Balinese heritage structures that have been restored - in order to highlight the use of upcycled material, rather than harvesting new wood. The place is intentionally non-air conditioned, provides semi-outdoors bathrooms, and is furnished with antiques. The management team is committed to ensuring this space continues to reflect ecovillage values and provide a learning space for anyone wanting to try a new way of life. The team is proud to be able to welcome people to realize that living ecologically can also mean living comfortably !

Alaya Ecolodge is located in Pemuteran, North -West Bali, close to the Menjangan National Park which is known for its lush forest, pristine coral reef beaches, and gorgeous island nearby. Thus, the National Park has had a big influence on the type of activities emerging from the local and foreign communities in the area - many of them choosing to focus on ecological practices and is an award winning eco-tourism site. We are therefore happy to share that this course will also include a number of local experts who will share their examples for a better future. 

Although Alaya Ecolodge does not reflect a 100% complete “Ecovillage,” it does embody many of the guiding principles that the Global Ecovillage Network, and Gaia Education define for Ecovillage based Education. Thus, the students of this EDE will be able to measure the success of the Ecolodge as a case study and to help define new targets for the upcoming years. This course also includes several more case studies for design of eco-village related projects nearby.

A Holistic Approach to Transition

The Ecovillage Design Education is a comprehensive course on the fundamentals of sustainability design. It is organized as a mandala that we call the sustainability wheel, encompassing what we perceive to be the four primary dimensions of human experience – Worldview, Ecological, Social and Economic aspects. Each of these four dimensions contains five modules, resulting in twenty subject areas to focus on.

The EDE Course was specifically designed to enable people and communities to come together to reclaim responsibility for their living situations - at local and regional levels. The curriculum is composed of a universal framework, adaptable to the local environment. The EDE offers an education that assesses the current state of the planet and local area followed by place-based solutions for a regenerative paradigm shift.

The course includes 125+ hours, with 20+ days, within a 4 week container; embodied through the holistic Head, Heart, Hands & Heath framework. It is Certified by Gaia Education and recognised as a contributor to UNESCO’s ‘Global Action Program for Education on Sustainable Development’. The program provides entrance into the Global Ecovillage Network, and is a first step toward becoming an “Ecovillage Educator” or eventually “Ecovillage Consultant”.

The course requires no prior knowledge or pre-requisites. Participants of all backgrounds are welcome to join - with whatever small or large scale intention for manifesting change in their personal or professional lives.

EDE Bali 2026 - Schedule Overview

Week 1 - Social

Deep diving into one’s individuality, while exploring your place in the collective
whole. This module will also provide tools for conflict resolution, alternative governance, and
building of social glue through collective community activities and space for new emergence.
Unique to this EDE, we include collective spaces for Balinese culture and bioregional
engagement, by practicing Gotong Royong (“work, as love in action”) and Nongkrong (“being,
instead of doing”).

Week 2 - Ecology

Discovering one’s own inner ecology, while exploring the ecosystems we live
within through engaged practices of “reading the land.” This module will provide an oversight of
key elements to consider for ecovillage design; eg. watershed management, reforestation, trash
management, sustainable agriculture, coral reef rehabilitation, through theory and hands on
work. Unique to our EDE is the opportunity to discover

Week 3 - Economy

Exploring alternative economy models, alternative currencies, and
sustainable production, while engaging in local livelihood hands-on practices. This module
highlights how this locality embodies alternative economic shifts, while simultaneously providing
theory on how to explore and apply this lens in other global contexts. An exciting incubation
container of this EDE includes visiting the neighbourhood to understand consumption dynamics
and evaluate potential for right livelihood transition.

Week 4 - Worldview

Providing space for the exploration of our inner worlds through morning
practice, and design of a new collective paradigm through a consciously cultivated container of
“the sacred.” This module provides an opportunity to discover the wealth of knowledge from the
local culture of Bali and Indonesia; where animism and spirituality are very alive. A golden
thread weaving of “ceremony” will act as a “Living Story” throughout our EDE and culminate in a
holistic tapestry, as part of an embodied threshold crossing of this dimension.

An Investment for those Seeking Change

The course fees and what they include are described below. Please don't hesitate to contact us for any more detailed information required.

Application for Course:

Please fill out the below course application form, you will receive a confirmation of your participation by email. Please note that you can pay the course fee of 700€ (or a 50% deposit) to secure your spot at any given time. Accommodation & Food is charged additionally, later, on arrival.

I WANT TO PARTICIPATE

Application for Scholarship:

Please fill out the scholarship application form, and you will receive an email to schedule an interview. Please note that scholarships are limited and applying for one may not guarantee securing yourself a spot in this program. Priority will be given to Bali / Indonesian / Asian candidates. However, International candidates are also welcome to apply.

The 700€ Course Fee Includes:

• 10+ Facilitators: Our core team is made up of 8 Educators who have also been EDE Certified + a support team of 4, and an additional 4 on site venue staff.
• 4+ Experts: This course will invite various experts from the bioregion to share their knowledge with the group.
• Transport:. All site visits will be covered by the course with mini-van. Cycles will be available for shared use during the course. Access to scooter/taxi rent is available nearby; at your own expense.
• Course Materials: Providing a Welcome Gift, and other basic stationary needed for sessions.
• Accommodation: Check In is on Sunday 1st November, and Check Out Saturday 28th November. If you like to stay longer, please make a booking by contacting Alaya Ecolodge directly.
• Airport Pickup: Although not included in the price, if requested, we can give you a trusted driver contact to book with individually, or join a WhatsApp group to coordinate sharing with other participants.
• Vegetarian Food: All meals are included from Monday-Fridays. There are various restaurants/cafes/groceries nearby, at your own expense for weekends. Those wishing to cook together will also have shared kitchen-ette access.
• Certification Fee: Gaia Education certifies this course, and thus the course fee includes this expense.

Course Fee is 700€ + Food&Accommodation of Choice:

We offer a wide range of individual or shared cottages, please don’t hesitate to email us if you would like to see pictures before booking your accommodation of choice.

*Payment for Course Tuition Fee required to confirm your spot in the program (a 100% or minimal 50% deposit of 700€).

*Payment for Accommodation & Food Fee of your choice can be paid on arrival at Alaya Ecolodge (in cash, or by card, or by transfer).

Please note: 

*A partial 50% refund will be granted only if requested 1 month prior to the course start date. A 100% refund will be granted only if requested 3 months prior to the course start date.

*Any additional transactional fee will be included on top of the mentioned rates (eg. ~5% through paypal).

*The program does not include Flights, Taxi, Medical Insurance, Visa Costs, Scooter Rent, Weekend Meals, and other personal expenses.

*Limited spaces; first come, first served basis for accommodation selection.

Payment Gateway: https://paypal.me/aconsciouscollective

Several of our EDE graduates have carried on organising EDE programmes in their local areas, and you are warmly encouraged to do so after completing your course.

The recommended time frame of an EDE is four weeks, however this is not fixed and varies with each individual programme.

The material can be condensed into smaller workshops, spread out over a longer period, or distributed in blocks at different times and locations.